Housing discrimination cases against Bay View Association near Petoskey have been settled. The resort community has been accused of discriminating against non-Christian homeowners.

Two lawsuits filed by current homeowners and a claim filed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development allege Bay View broke fair housing laws by only allowing Christians to own homes at the resort community.

A federal court in Michigan says that the state's Republican-controlled legislature unfairly drew some of Michigan's state legislative and U.S. House district lines and that a divided government will have to come up with new boundaries.

A new federal law requiring stricter background checks could force some child care providers out of business. Starting in October, all adults living in a home with a day care will have to be cleared by the F.B.I.

The new regulations forbid anyone convicted of a violent crime – or any crime against children – from living in a day care home. Anyone with a misdemeanor drug conviction would be banned for five years.

Federal housing authorities say a resort in northern Michigan has failed to prove it is allowed to restrict home ownership to Christians. There are more than 400 privately-owned cottages at Bay View Association near Petoskey on Lake Michigan, which only practicing Christians can own.

Stateside’s conversations with State Representative Triston Cole, sponsor of the legislation, and Sean Hammond, a member of the Michigan Environmental Council.

Legislation to restrict the authority of state departments has passed the Michigan House and is making its way through the Senate.

House Bill 4205 would not let agency rules be any stricter than federal rules without proof that it’s necessary.

Environmental groups are concerned. As the Great Lakes state, past legislatures have embraced a role of being a guardian of the lakes. Stricter agency rules were seen as part of the state being a good steward and an example for other states.

The Cobo Center has a new pair of big, electronic billboards. They’re part of Cobo’s $300 million renovation plan, and according to Daniel Howes, they’re wrapped up in an example of “stupid government writ large."